No elections, no defections, but Tories lose control of Basingstoke and Deane!

To developers!

Is it time for the cabinet member for Planning and Infrastructure to resign?
Developers were given the green light to build old peoples flats at the former Webbers site in New Road.  The original planning application was refused by the Council after Cllr Stuart Parker and I objected see here.  However on appeal, a government inspector overturned this decision because the Council had failed to show it had sufficient land earmarked for the homes it will need in the coming years.

It is the Councils responsibility to demonstrate it has 5 years supply of land to meet housing need.   Where it fails to do so, inspectors are encouraged to look favourably at rejected applications.  The inspector found that Basingstoke and Deane did not have this 5 year supply.  I think the administration must have been negligent to leave us in this position.
We have had years of posturing and pretence on housing numbers from the local Tories and now we're paying the price.  

Far from letting local communities take control, they have sat back and given the green light to developers to build what they want and where they want.  Today it is the top of town, next we'll see fields around Basing, Chineham and Bramley built on because the Tories have not been upfront and honest with people about the need for new homes.

The Council has been reviewing housing land supply for several years, delaying the process at every opportunity.  The Tory administration is paid to make tough decisions to protect Basingstoke.  It has failed to do this.  Now it’s developers who will shape the borough rather than the people who live here.